Phoenix police have arrested two 17-year-old boys in connection with the holdups at a pair of fast-food restaurants on Tuesday night. Police say the suspects were wearing clown masks.
READ MORE: Police investigate reports of clowns trying to lure kids into woods in South Carolina
One suspect was arrested Wednesday after police say they found evidence connecting him to the robberies during a traffic stop.
“The clown suspect fled from a DPS traffic stop on Wednesday … before being arrested with evidence of the armed robberies in his possession,” police posted on their Facebook page.
Police said a single gunshot was fired inside each restaurant during the robberies.
The second teen, who police say was acting as a getaway driver, was arrested later Wednesday evening.
The first suspect has also been accused of a Sept. 22 holdup at another fast food restaurant.
The getaway driver has also been accused of carrying out another robbery at a Taco Bell restaurant on Sept. 13. Police say the suspect in that robbery wore a bandanna with a skull face printed on it.
The robberies are just the latest clown-related acts that have made headlines in the U.S. in recent weeks.
READ MORE: 2 people arrested in Georgia over false reports about clowns luring kids
Since August, people in states including South Carolina, Maryland and Georgia have reported scary or suspicious encounters with people dressed like clowns, spreading fear through several communities.
Police say some of the reported sightings have been hoaxes.
The creepy reports have even forced members of a Shriners’ clown group to pull out of a Maryland parade in October, saying they just want to make children smile.
— With files from The Associated Press
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